NBD: 1973 Acoustic Control Corp Black Widow

[rhp335]

Actually the Black Widows were mostly built by Barth. The same body and pick ups back pad etc. were used on Hohners built by Barth during the same era.

 

[Baird6869]

Wow!

7 years of browsing TB every day and this is the first Acoustic bass I have ever seen. Cool!

 

[Zentner]

Nice! I've been looking for one of these off and on for a loong time, but I've never seen one this nice.

Hohner / Bartell also made a similar instrument, but these acoustic branded basses are much more rare and cool (IMO).

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[millsbass5]

I've seen those a time, or two. It really looks like something Gene Simmons would've played back in the day. Looks wise, it's close to his LoBue:

http://dbgeekshow.blogspot.com/2012/07/mr-bassman-guitars-of-gene-simmons.html

 

[RonSound]

Yup. I believe they used the same knobs as on the 150b and 360. They were only in production from 1970-1974, with no more than 1,000 made (combined bass and guitar). Jimi Hendrix played the guitar version.

Check it out:

http://blackwidow.vintageusaguitars.com/index.php/jimi-hendrix-and-the-acoustic-black-widow/

The one Hendrix is pictured with isn't a Black Widow since it has an F-hole. It's a Bartell instrument but it's unknown whether it's branded Bartell or Acoustic.

http://blackwidow.vintageusaguitars.com/index.php/jimi-hendrix-and-the-acoustic-black-widow/

 

[RonSound]

Actually the Black Widows were mostly built by Barth. The same body and pick ups back pad etc. were used on Hohners built by Barth during the same era.

Beautiful find.

The original Black Widows were designed and built for Acoustic by none other than Semie Moseley, of Mosrite fame. Looks like you have an example of one made by Kawai under license in Japan.

The original design was by Paul Barth via his Bartell instruments (also sold under the Hohner, Lancer, and Contessa names). Bartell didn't make very many units for Acoustic, probably less than 100 built around 1969/70. The vast majority of Black Widows were then built in Japan with Mosrite supposedly building the last couple of hundred around 1973/74.

http://blackwidow.vintageusaguitars.com/index.php/history/

 

[Pimpernel Smith]

Yikes, astounding! What a blast from the past. I'm looking forward to hearing some heavy soul driven bass lines.

 

[map34157]

It plays great. I love it! But because of the condition, I sometimes hate taking it out. We're playing a parade tomorrow and as much as I'd love to take her out, I'm just afraid something is going to happen. I almost wish it already had some scratches/dents ya know?

 

[tombowlus]

These are great basses! Here's mine:

 

[godofthunder59]

What dreams are made of. Congrats on a great score and great bass!

 

[RickC]

I spent many hours drooling over the Acoustic catalog (maybe pamphlet is a better term) with the 371 and especially the Black Widow. Always wanted one and I will sooner or later. Thanks for this thread.